Read The Brotherhood of the Snake (Return of the Ancients Book 2) for Free Online Page B

they could be bona fide aliens, but then Jack clued me in on all these new inventions the government’s been creating for Homeland Security nowadays.”
    He paused, looking over his shoulder at the busy parking lot and pointed to the streetlight about twenty feet away.
    “They’re creating streetlights?” I asked, puzzled.
    Al lowered his voice even further. “Jack says the streetlights can now record conversations, and that Homeland Security is even spying on Wal-Mart customers with those newfangled thermal face scanners! They even have hand-held versions of scanners that can x-ray the contents of your wallet!” He clucked and shook his head, asking, “What’s this country coming to?”
    I didn’t know what to say.
    “That’s why it’s up to us, Sydney!” Al said resolutely. “We’ve got to protect our country because of what it stands for! And that means catching Marquis in the act. Jack and I analyzed that video we got from our spy camera, where he was scanning his own face with that device. He’s probably trying to sell that technology to terrorists. He’s a real shady character, Sydney. We’ve got to gather a boatload of data, and force our government to do the right thing!”
    He smiled at me expectantly.
    Frowning, I finally nodded.
    Al gave a proud laugh. “Lizard people and fairies! I’m impressed with your out-of-the-box thinking. That’s why I know you’ll make a top-notch neighborhood watch deputy. And now that you’ve got that Doberman, you’ll be unstoppable.” He reached over and patted Ajax on the head.
    Ajax actually wagged his tail.
    I felt like pinching his snooty little snout, resentful yet again that he was friendly to everyone but me. But then Al’s words sank in. “Uh … neighborhood watch … deputy?”
    He beamed. Fumbling in his pocket, he took out a small notebook and gravely handed it to me. “You’ll be eighteen in a couple of days, and I’m deeply honored to recruit you into our neighborhood crime watch program!”
    I flipped through the notebook. On the top of each page, Al had carefully written the words: “Date”, “Guilty Party”, “Incident”, and “Laws Broken”.
    “A good crime watcher records all relevant data,” Al informed me. “Data is how we catch criminals these days. I’ll pick you up a pocket flashlight at the store to go with that whistle, and then you’ll be in business to help me catch Marquis. We’ll type all of our data into Betty’s computer. This might be a big-time case.” He dropped his voice and added with a hush, “We might even send an email to the FBI!”
    I didn’t think the FBI would appreciate any data that I’d gather. In my mind’s eye, I saw a bunch of agents rolling on the floor, laughing about the crazies in Seattle who had evidence of fairies and lizard people.
    I just nodded politely.
    “All right then!” Al slapped the steering wheel and then pointed to the pet store on the other side of the parking lot before hooking his thumb over his shoulder in the general direction of the hardware store. “You go get Betty’s dog pills, and I’ll run and get my stuff and meet you back here in about half an hour, kiddo.”
    With that, he gave me another salute, and taking Betty’s list out of his pocket, headed off.
    Tossing my crime-watch notebook onto the dashboard, I grabbed Ajax’s leash and slid out of the cab. The moment my feet hit the pavement, Ajax turned into a demented devil on a leash, literally hauling me across the parking lot to the pet store and pulling me through the automatic doors, leaving no doubt of just exactly who was in charge.
    “Slow down, Ajax!” I snapped, yanking him back for the fifth time.
    It didn’t faze him. Completely ignoring my frail attempts to control him, he charged down the aisle without even flicking an ear my direction and finally stopped in front of a big barrel of meaty bones.
    I scowled. “After that little display, I’m hardly inclined to get you a treat,” I